August 7, 2011

Injury Report: Rookie CB Patrick shakes off wrist injury and more

Third round pick CB Johnny Patrick walked out of the end of Sunday's practice with an apparent wrist injury, but then wrote on Twitter later Sunday night, "I am fine not gonna miss no practice or games... Goodnight"

Patrick apparently suffered the injury during special teams drills, when he was covering a punt.

In other injury news, DT Mitch King left practice with an atrial fibrillation, a not insignificant heart condition that is treatable and quickly recoverable. LB Ramon Humber, who has been with the Saints during regular season practice squads, suffered a quad injury.

Three Saints have yet to pass their physical according to Sean Payton: RB Chris Ivory (left foot Lisfranc injury and sports hernia surgery), starting CB Tracy Porter (left knee rehab), seventh round pick DE Greg Romeus (right knee rehab). Second year LT Charles Brown did pass his physical and his training camp practice for the first time this weekend.

Payton said he isn't worried about Porter missing the opener, and Ivory's recovery time is technically up during the preseason as well.

"I think we are (on) schedule with [Porter]," Payton said Sunday. "I think we are going to see him, hopefully, by the Houston weekend if not, the Monday after the Houston week. I think he is on schedule. There is nothing surprising about where he is at right now."

Ivory is rehabbing both the sports hernia surgery last week and the offseason Lisfranc surgery, two issues that cannot be simultaneously worked on. That would logically lead to Ivory missing regular season games.

Romeus, a high-round talent with seventh round injury issues, was likely headed for a "redshirt" rookie season all along, given his major late collegiate career back and knee injuries.

While veteran WR Marques Colston has been missing time with a right knee injury, his job is more than safe. On the other hand, WR Adrian Arrington's last shot with the Saints is this preseason - he is no longer eligible for the developmental practice squad after serving on it for two years. Arrington has been missing time on the roster while undrafted rookies Jarred Fayson and Joe Morgan are stacking up solid practice time.

Payton also all but confirmed on Sunday that the team has no immediate plans to re-sign FB Heath Evans, comfortable with free agent addition Korey Hall at fullback, a position that plays a lot of special teams for the Saints.

"Korey being the first guy we wanted to call," Payton said. "fortunately for us, he had an interest and that was the first free agent acquisition from another team and it worked out well... He was a guy that is versatile on offense in regards to his blocking and receiving ability and also a guy that can contribute in the kicking game. Green Bay had depth at that position, and for us, we were able to get him in that first week."

The Saints have Monday off from training camp and return to practice on Tuesday to begin preparations for their preseason home opener against the 49ers on Friday night. Rookie RB Mark Ingram apparently had time Sunday night for a homecooked meal, writing on Twitter: "Momma made these porkchops and rice n gravy!!! Sooo good smh sooo good *rubs belly*"